HI Seattle at the American Hotel

The location worked well since I came by train, and it’s an easy walk to Pike Market. There’s plenty of good food nearby, including some of the best Thai I’ve had. The neighborhood can feel a little sketchy, but that’s common in cities and part of the tradeoff for cheaper lodging. The building is clean enough, though definitely historic, kind of 20s-30s by way of the 70s-80s. Rooms are small and incredibly stuffy. I showered in the early afternoon, hung my towel in the room, and it was still damp the next morning. Towels are free, though. I was lucky to have just one roommate, since I can’t imagine sharing with two more guys, especially in summer. The beds are bare bones, with no curtains or even a little shelf, just a gooseneck lamp and a tiny fan that didn’t work. The bathrooms were clean. I’d definitely recommend the single, especially for showers, since the “big” one has two toilets, two urinals, and two showers with no privacy. The kitchen seemed decent, the laundry room was large and cost $2.50 each, and the lounge was okay, though I barely saw anyone in it, let alone socializing. All in all, a decent place to crash on a budget.

I was in my late 30s and pleasantly surprised that I wasn't anywhere near the oldest guest. I'd never stayed in a hostel before, even though I lived in an SRO for four years in my early 20s. I was going to a convention, had expected a last-minute hotel booking to be a bargain, and, well, I made some mistakes. I was apprehensive until I reached the front desk. The staff were so friendly and professional that I felt completely at ease and not out of place. The room and bed were quite comfy, just right for sleeping after a long day of fun. I got a bath towel and a lock at no extra cost. The bathrooms were impressively clean, which was a relief after what I'd seen sharing bathrooms and a kitchen in an SRO. The hostel also had some welcome activities, including an evening pub crawl and a trip to the art museum with admission covered. The vibe felt so wholesome. There were several tidy, comfortable looking common areas with books, TVs, and games. I didn't spend much time in them, but I'd absolutely stay again!

The large common areas and all the information about city events and the hostel's daily activities were nice. There's also a parking lot right across the street, which was super handy. The rooms were spacious, the beds comfortable, and the lockers had a good amount of space. I found the staff friendly and helpful, and enjoyed my stay. Would recommend!

For our one night in Seattle, we liked how close this place was to light rail and within walking distance of cute coffee shops, Pike Place Market, and waterfront shopping and dining. It was basic, very clean, and much more affordable than the other lodging we found. You get a bed and a great shared shower. The friendly staff, common spaces, laundry option, and continental breakfast and coffee were all good to have. There were plenty of posted event and tour notices to help explore the city. We didn't think this was an area to wander after dark, but the doors locked securely and the place felt safe inside. Paying $3 to store our lockers while we toured the sights was another plus.